““Hey,” I said, wondering why I was either short on words or babbling when I spoke to him. I touched his hat. “Didn’t help. I still lost.” The game, anyway. I’d won a date. “Mac’s pretty good at pool,” he said. “You’re no slouch, either.” “It didn’t look like you were paying attention.” In the beginning, until Mac had shown up, I’d been riveted. “When I was looking at the program last night, I noticed you and Mac play for the same university,” I said, doing our usual change-the-subject thing. “You must know each other pretty well.” “Pretty well.” “He seems really nice.” “He’s a pretty good guy.” Not exactly a resounding endorsement. But then guys probably didn’t spend a lot of time complimenting other guys. He’s the best. He’s the greatest. If I were a girl, I’d definitely go out with him. ””
